Monday, September 26, 2011

I tried something new tonight - not in the least quilty. My middle daughter, Jen, talked me into going with her to a "Couch potato to 5 K" running class. A little history would probably help this scenerio - I am not an athletic person. I am fine with that. But, this year, I have been trying to get healthy, lose weight, and gain more energy, so I thought this might be ok. I can do this. I even went out and bought new running shoes!
Cute, huh! I am 64 years old, a certified couch potato who hates exercise, and I thought this would be a good idea! The session started out easily - a five minute warm up walk, 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking repeated for 20 minutes. Let's just say I found out just how out of shape I am. I made it through the 20 minute session, just barely, then proceeded to throw up everything I had eaten for dinner (and maybe for lunch - who know!) I am fine, I just got really hot and tired. I also will never have what I had for dinner again - ever. I hate throwing up! After a shower and a protein drink, I am feeling much better.

Will I do this again on Wednesday? I'm going to sleep on that decision. Things may look different in the morning.

Friday, September 23, 2011

It's finally Friday and I'm seriously ready for some weekend time. I finished quilting a lovely Hawaiian shirt quilt this week, but did not take pictures - you'll just have to imagine how lovely it was. I also worked on the Vintage Valentine quilt, and on one of the antique quilts that I am repairing and adding borders to before I quilt them. So, I have done a little quilting.

I didn't share about the trip I took to Illinois and Kentucky with my friend, Glenda. It was so much fun and so relaxing! We visited with a cousin of Glenda's, went to a quilt show, and visited the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. I was overwhelmed by the talent at both the quilt show and the museum, and came home with a new resolve the work on my quilting and improve the quality.

The Quilt Show was in Metropolis, Illinois (yes, the home of Superman) - that is me standing by the statue!

I understand that the city has a Superman celebration in June every year - now that should be fun! But it is also home to lots of history and beautiful parks, too. We visited Fort Massac State Park, where they have encampments and battle reenactments of the Revolutionary War battles every October. On the Ohio River, it is a beautiful site. The quilt show was presented by the Massac Quilters Guild - they have some very talented quilters in their guild. Glenda took lots of pictures - I didn't - but she has promised to share with me! The National Quilt Museum was wonderful - I plan on revisiting it again - there is just too much to digest at one time. I was most amazed by the collection of miniature quilts - so intricate, with quilting stitches so impossibly small. We were not allowed to take pictures in the museum, so you'll just have to go see for yourself.
This is a shot of part of the Miniature Collection - straight from the website of the museum - there is as much detail in these small quilts as in a full size quilt -

Now that I'm home again, with new resolve, there are several things going on in my life that are taking center stage. First, our daughter's wedding will be in a few weeks, so we are picking up speed on the details. I still don't have a dress to wear, but shopping is planned for the near future. I don't know about the bride, but I know that the mother of the bride is getting a little nervous about all the details. Let's see - church-check, reception venue - check, food - check, limo - check, wedding dress - check, photographer - check, DJ - check, invitations - check, flowers - still working on it, and on and on.

This should be a wonderful weekend - I have some quilting planned, and a new book to read. Plus, my middle daughter has talked me into a new venture - I'll tell you all about it next week. I'm a bit anxious about this one! Until then, create something wonderful!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The weather this past weekend and today is wonderful! It is in the 80's and the sun is shining. Since we have had many, many days of over 100 degree heat, this is heavenly! I have opened windows and turned the AC off. The weatherman tells us that the temps will go up again next week, but maybe, just maybe he/she is wrong! I'd like for this to continue for awhile. Some rain would also be welcome.

The wind has been blowing, and the drought we have been in is causing a lot of people a lot of grief. There have been numerous wildfires all around Texas, and our heart goes out to those who are hurting. I cannot even imagine what it must be like to lose everything you have to a fire - our prayers are with them as they heal.

I have been busy with customers quilts and have had little time to work on my own, but this weekend I took a break and got out a work in progress that has been around for several years. It is an appliqued "Vintage Valentine" that was a block of the month at my LQS. I kept up pretty well until the final block which was the medallion, and then three of the blocks were lost for several months. So, it all got put in a box and shoved under the table. I took it out, trimmed the blocks to the proper size and laid it out on the floor of the studio. Now I am ready to border and quilt it. If I'm really efficient, I might get it done before a certain wedding and it would make a nice surprise gift. I am trying to embellish it some more, but I might wait until I finish quilting it. Here's a pic I took of my studio floor last night!

What do you think? Wedding gift? Or should I just keep it!!

School has started here and my Texas grandkids are back in the groove. The youngest started kindergarten this year and loves it. My daughter sent a pic to me of the first day of class for both of them - I thought I would cry - I have many memories of my children on the first day of school. We took similar pics of them every year!

My other grandkids from the Northwest started school this week - I am waiting for those pics!

I'm going on a road trip with a friend this next weekend, so I'll have a lot to report when I get back. Until then - spend some time in your studio and have fun.